Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 June 1885 — CABINET PORTRAITS. [ARTICLE]

CABINET PORTRAITS.

Eayard Patient, Whitney Blunt, Endicott Suavo and Bolite, Garland Plain and Sociable, Manning Non-Com-mittal, Lamar Queer. [Washington special.] Secretary Bayard has a patient way of entertaining vieitois. If he is satisfied at the first glance that he can dispose of a case in a few words, he will do so, bnt as a rule he rather enjoys keeping applicants, for office especially, on the ragged edge as long as possible. When he once gets interested, however, the Secretary is a changed man. In the discussion of any topic he will go into the minutest details, and before he gets through he will exhaust his subject and listener as well. Mr. Bayard has been longer in public life, and has had more experience, thau any other Cabinet officer. This experience and knowledge of men and measures often enables him to dispose of business much more rapidly than he is given credit for. So far as personal manner of receiving visitors is concerned, Secretary Whitney is the sharpest contrast to Secretary Bayard. Mr. Whitney is a youthful-looking and handsome man. He wears glasses, and his clothes fit him admirably. No one has ever yet complained that Mr. Whitney equivocated. In this respect he resembles ex-Secretary Chandler, who had the tact of making the plainest, bluntest, and clearest statements in relation to matters in the Navy Department of any Secretary who has been in office since the war. Mr. Whitney is a good deal like Mr. Chandler in some other respects. He is quick, nervous, and alert, has the gift of instantly seeking the main point at issue, no matter how much it is covered up with a mass of details, and the courage to speak out his mind at once. Secretary Endicott is the most' aristocratic meniber of the Cabinet. Not every one can be admitted into his presence, but those who are have no reason to complain about their reception. A few days ago a gentleman called at the War Department and sent his card to the Secretary. In a few minutes the mestenger came out and said that Mr. Endicott desired to be informed as to the nature of his business. The caller grew furious and swore a blue streak, which made General Sheridan jump out of his seat and look up and down the corridor. Then the caller told the messenger that that wasn’t his style of doing business, and went away in high dudgeon. Secretary Endicott is suave and politd to those with whom he comes in contact. Attorney General Garland makes every visitor feel perfectly at home. Personally he is one of the most popular of Cabinet officers. He has a peculiar vein of humor and an intense appreciation of the ludicrous. There is not a fi..er raconteur or a more inveterate practical joker in America than the Attorney General. He is a jovial, whole-souled, generous man, who hates shams, and who works hard and plays hard. If the President had searched the country through and through, he could not have found a man more thoroughly unfitted for his surroundings than Mr. Garland. His is the grandest office 'in Washington. Mr. Garland is one of the plainest of men—plain in speech, action and appearance. Ordinarily he dresses in a well-worn broadcloth suit, and he invariably wears a bhmk slouch hat. tipped well down over his forehead. He looks as though he came from Arkansas and was glad of it. If ex-Attorney General Brewster could only take a peep at Mr. Garland as he daily sits in his office, he would hasten his trip to Europe to get rid of the scene. The Attorney General has an immense load of work on his shoulders, but he carries it lightly. For his friends he always has a neat story told in an inimitable manner, and next to telling one he loves to listen to others. Secretary Manning resembles the President in the way in which he receives visitors. He has a desk at the end of the big room on the second floor of the Treasury Department, and his callers sit and await their turn. He is a good listener—has a face like a sphinx—and says but little. He is the most non-committal man in the entire Cabinet. Occasionally, when aroused, he shows the stuff that is in him; is phlegmatic, impressive; and has the appearance of being able to receive good, bad, and indifferent news with the same outward calmness. Mr. Manning acts instead of talks. Like all newspaper men, he hates long stories. The man who goes to him with all his facts condensed, presents them with a few words and then retires, makes a greater impression upon him than those who weary him with an overabundance of verbiage. • Postmaster General Vilas has his visitors sorted by the colored messenger before they are admitted to his presence. He is a good talker himself, and likes it in others, but, like Mr. Manning, he despises the tiresome bore. Gen. Vilas can be one of the most fascinating men. From the standpoint of pure oratory he has no rival in the Democratic party. Secretary Lamar has a queer way of receiving visitors. He allows every one to tell his story. Probably there is not a more patient man in public life than Mr. Lamar, and the crowds that flock to his office seem to appreciate that fact. When he is weary he has the highly original plan of excusing himself for a moment, going out through his private door to the street, mounting his thoroughbred, and speeding away for a ride in the country.